There were 3 of us in a "3" man tent - which meant we were very, very close to each other. My sleeping bag was touching the side of the tent and as the temperature dropped and we crossed the dew point, condensation was all over the inside of the tent and consequently, soaked through my sleeping bag. I got colder and colder as the night went on. As well, we were on a drastic slant and I kept sliding towards the door. Every half hour or so I had to hoist myself up to the top of my sleeping mat - stop reading this, go get in your sleeping bag, and once you are all tucked in, try inching your way along the floor. Then imagine doing it uphill with your nylon sleeping bag.
The guides didn't want to get us water the night before - we don''t know why, but they were very insistent that we could get it in the morning. We tried to explain how long it would take us to sterilize the water but they didn't seem to share our concerns. Water was finally delivered after breakfast, and, as we tried to explain, it took well over half an hour for everyone to get water and sterilize it. Some are using drops which you just put in the water and its ready in thirty minutes but that isn't always effective against cryptosporidium. My group is using steripens, which sterilize a liter of water in 90 seconds, but considering three of us need 4L of water each, it does take some time. Nevertheless, our escapades convinced the guides we need water in the afternoon when we have lots of time to fool around with it.
The walk was on a flat shaled path about 2 feet wide for the first three hours or so but then was steep with high steps up onto rocks. It was very, very hot in the morning when the sun shone but cold when the clouds closed in. I am really enjoying the walking, much more than I thought I would, but I wish it had been over just a little bit sooner today.
We ate lunch and sterilized our water and then sought shelter in our tents when the rain started.
Of course, you can see where this is going. As we ascended the mist rolled up the mountain and the sky clouded over and the temperature dropped, It was OK when we were walking but then we stopped to hear some speeches. The idea is you spend some time at a higher altitude and then descend to sleep to help with acclimatization. I can't really tell you what the speeches involved because the early stages of hypothermia were starting. I was shivering and a bit confused. Melissa kindly offered me her extra layer which I put on but was unable to do up - due to my size, not my lack of coordination.
Finally we went back down (I don't like down very much, which doesn't bode well for the last two days of the trip) to supper. The pumpkin soup was hot and delicious. Tonight was pasta shells with vegetable sauce and avocado for dessert, which I skipped since my guts were a bit dodgy and I didn't think it was a good idea.
Sunset was around 6 pm and by bedtime at 8:15, it was feeling quite cold out.
Thoughts on the day:
I drank 3L of water during the hike and didn't pee once. I did pee after we came to camp and through the evening and it was clear like it should be, but I found it a bit worrying at first that I hadn't gone for so long.
Diamox symptoms - I've had none beyond the immediately noticeable increase in respiration rate when I was walking. Others are already experiencing the transient numbness in their extremities.
I am also taking ibuprofen and ginko for altitude and adding tylenol at bedtime for aches and pains. I've not had any headaches and my feet feel pretty good, baring the ankle I twisted last night going to the bathroom.
Please, please let me get some sleep tonight.
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